Gaikokujin tarento
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A gaikokujin tarento (外国人タレント) is a foreign celebrity active exclusively or almost exclusively in Japan. The word literally means "Foreign talent" (see Tarento). Having a good command of Japanese, combined with European or other foreign looks, they are often chosen because they meet the Japanese stereotypes of foreigners (Americans generally look rugged and have blond hair and blue eyes, or, alternatively, are of African ancestry). Gaikokujin tarento are seen as a curiosity by the Japanese, just as other tarento, and are cast differently depending on their ethnic persuasion.
[edit] Notable gaikokujin tarento
- BoA
- Bob Sapp
- Dave Spector
- Patrick Harlan
- Julie Dreyfus
- Kent Gilbert
- Kent Derricott
- Janica Southwick
- Thane Camus
- Bobby Ologun
- Matt Kadioglu
- Daniel Kahl
- Kane Kosugi
- Agnes Chan
- Vivian Hsu
- Yoon Son-ha
- Yinling
- Carolyn Kawasaki
- Leah Dizon
- Younha
[edit] See also
- Da Shan - individual representing a similar phenomenon in China
[edit] References
- Miller, Laura. "Crossing ethnolinguistic boundaries: A preliminary look at the gaijin tarento in Japan." In Asian Popular Culture, edited by John Lent, Westview Press, New York, pp. 162-173, 1995.
